04rx8kid

Haha ok everybody knows the rotary's dont get the best gas mileage but does anyone have a some what cheap and reliable way to improve it, i bought my rx8 like 3 weeks ago and sometimes it idles high after starting being cold for maybe a good 30 seconds and its def not the best on gas so any suggestions?

DarkBrew

Stay out of stop-and-go traffic
Let your car warm up only until idle drops to 1500 RPM then drive gently till warm.
Change tranny and diff fluid to synthetic.
Get a block/oil pan heater.
Buy a winter car
Car pool

PSUGreySreet

People are going to get on for asking a question that has been answered a lot... but who cares...

When you bought the car, you bought the fact that you will be visiting the gas pumps more frequently than many other cars on the road. There is not really a cheap way other than the obvious, if any in fact, to improve your gas mileage. If you are that concerned, shift below 3750 rpm's (when the secondary ports open, requiring more gas) and drive it easy... (which somehow sounds so ironic to what the RX-8 stands for)... Enjoy the beep of 9K!! Just set money aside for the pumps...

4me2

Drop in air filter $40.
Premix $1 per tank.
Use regular gas.

PSUGreySreet

I know the benefits of premixing, but does it really save all that much on gas mileage.... truely curious...

4me2

Very little, but helps some. If the engine runs smother, it only makes sense that the MPG should be better.


Also a clean air filter helps, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nw6Gk0Z8IrA

4me2

This helps also https://www.rx8club.com/rx-8-discussion-3/no-more-detonation-%2Amiac%2A-121249/

reaper1

Yea , here it goes .............A damn bike ........... or take it back......

........By the way I premix and it helps.

Al Czervik

Well if you are worried about gas mileage i would suggest you trade in your car and get a toyota or a honda.

Why would you buy a car without researching ?
Why would you buy a car that is a sports car and worry about gas mileage?

Mugatu

iTrader: (1)

seriously, how many new gas mileage threads are started daily?

chrism

i dont know what these peple complain about.....i get 38mpg and i have broken 400 miles per tank virtually every time i fill up

toby

woah - that's double what I get!

I knew what i was in for when I picked up the keys!

a mate of mine sells Vauxhalls, he's always on at me about his amazing fuel consumption.... He soon shuts up when I smoke him!
I'll take a sports car over a MPG wagon any day!

CTrx8

iTrader: (2)

^ man, chris' sarcasm is really going over people's heads lately.

Myardor

iTrader: (7)

I get about 31 miles per gallon most of the time sometimes 41 if I drive it just right.
Then again i see and write things backward

alnielsen

iTrader: (4)

I'm dyslexic, I think I read it right.

nycgps

iTrader: (1)

This must be your first car.

All car idles high when cold.

walking is the best way to save gas

oh and search is your friend ...

New Yorker

Well for one, you could follow Mazda's recommended shift points:

Normal acceleration:
1 to 2: 14 mph
2 to 3: 22 mph
3 to 4: 29 mph
4 to 5: 36 mph
5 to 6: 46 mph

For cruising:
1 to 2: 14 mph
2 to 3: 21 mph
3 to 4: 28 mph
4 to 5: 35 mph
5 to 6: 42 mph

I have two modes: sometimes I drive it like a sports car, redline often, and forget about Mazda's gas saving shift points. But lots of times, especially when traffic is slow-moving and heavy, I'll follow those granny shifts (though I always redline it at least once or twice a day).

In and around NYC, about 60%/40% highway/city, I get around 17 or 18 mpg. Considering the handling—and how good the car "feels"—I have no problem with those numbers.

New2u

Well I get about the same mpg if i'm cruising the highway to work on the weekdays as i do when i'm cruising around town during the weekends. I have never gone below 21mpg. The best i've gotten was right at 24 the worst was right at 21. My last vehicle which was a truck only got 26-28.

reaper1

You must be one of the lucky ones , if those numbers are correct .....

4me2

Some of these 8's get crappy mpg. I average 18 mpg, and could get 22/24 if I drove allot of highway miles. A work car would be the easiest way to get good gas mileage.

New2u

Those are definitely accurate numbers. I check almost every fill up what my MPG were that trip. Has never dropped below 21. Not sure if it matters too much but i have an '06. Can't remember all the tweaks they've made throughout the different years.

champi0n

iTrader: (1)

So has anyone proven that driving at 2k rpm is better then 3k rpm? whats the AF mix at 2k vs 3k? or even 4k for that matter.

I had a car that burned more gass under 2k then it did at 3.5k due to the fuel mapping.

And i would say the best way to improve MPG is to get a fuel modifier (ie SAFC) and tune it. And other then that, get a hydrogen tank put in the trunk and switch between both depending on city/highway.

Jethro Tull

iTrader: (6)

I've had mine for 8 months now and can say that mileage is very dependant on how heavy your right foot is. When I take care to not accellerate quickly and drive with a conservative mind-set, I can get over 18mpg city, 22+ highway. When I drive it with "enthusiasm", the city mileage drops to 15mpg, 19mpg highway. A 3 mpg difference, or roughly 15%-20%.

RotaryP7

I've never gotten above 225 miles on a full tank. For those that have, enjoy it.. And give thanks to the 8 you drive..

That's at most. I barely pass the 200 mark now.. And I drive normal.. I guess..
But hey, I don't care.. It's worth it.

tajabaho1

ahhh wtf, theres at least 20 threads on this.....